.: What’s Bruin :.

Wow. Just finished reading Wil Wheaton’s Just A Geek and I must say this is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s a journey through life that most people will definitely relate to. I know I did. It’s surfacing so many feelings and able to capture into words so many of the same things that I think about myself. I find that many of my own insecurities, self-doubt, and career longings are given voice in this book.
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Tags: Books, Reflection, Wil-Wheaton

FQ1: Which Olympic events are your most and least favorite?

I enjoy swimming and gymnastics, both men’s and women’s. Swimming was extremely exciting this time around with Michael Phelps winning 8 medals and tying the all-time Olympic record (with six golds).

My least favorite would have to be kayaking, rhythmic gymnastics, and synchronized swimming. Diving is borderline. They are all very boring.

FQ2: In what Olympic competition would you have the best shot at a gold medal?

Considering that I’ve played tennis since I was 14, I’d say tennis. But you’d have to tie my opponents’ legs together and make them play with their opposite hand.

FQ3: If you could add or invent a new Olympic sport, what would it be?

Hmmm. Can’t think of anything right now. But I do think they should get rid of some of the sports in the summer games. See part two of my answer to Question 1 above.

FQ PITCHMAN: Propose why your home town should host the next Olympic Games (your choice Summer or Winter).

San Diego, California would be the ideal place for the Summer Games. Hey, it’s San Diego, America’s Finest City. Enough said.

Tags: Participation

FOXSports.com - Williams’ appeal denied by NCAA

FOXSports.com - Carroll: ‘It’s a sad moment’

Quotes Regarding Mike Williams Decision :: Pete Carroll and Mike Williams comment on NCAA ruling.

Poor Poor Trojans. Receiver Mike Williams wants to rejoin the team, but was DEEE-NIED. I guess that’s what you get when you don’t follow the rules. Ha ha.

Tags: Sports, UCLA

The massive project is almost over. I just finished the curriculum for the stupid satellite communication system! It is easily almost 1000 pages long. I feel sorry for the Marines that have to sit through that class! Yippee!

Here’s a picture of the two humungous notebooks that make up this course that I inherited. I’m so glad that this part of it is over. Soon there will be no more inherited projects. And I can do some work that I have started myself without having to fix and worry about other people’s mistakes and then having to take responsibility for them since I’m the only one there.

Tags: Career

OK, so he’s not a kid anymore (32, married with two kids). But while looking at Wil Wheaton from a distance, waiting in line for his autograph, he basically looks the same as Gordie LaChance, except older. I got three autographs of my DVD cover and copies of his two books, Dancing Barefoot and Just A Geek.

Wheaton arrived late due to our wonderful San Diego traffic. And today was a Saturday! Tony and I waited over an hour-and-a-half, but it was worth the wait for two reasons. First, I loved that movie, “Stand By Me” and the two buddies in the movie reminds me of the joys of being young. So seeing Wil Wheaton at this small, independent bookstore in San Diego was a big treat. For a play-by-play of this event, you can read a detailed account from Brian Dear’s web site. (Geez Brian, were you taking notes the whole time?)

Wil was funny, reading excerpts from his new book, JAG. As an aside, because Wil was so late in arriving, I finished his other book, DB (only 115 pages) before he arrived. Having been a fan of Star Trek TNG, it was an enjoyable event to hear from Mr. Crusher himself. I can relate with Wil’s life - early successes in life and then trying to find them again later on. Occasionally, I read his blog, WWDN. And I find that the open, thoughtful, and sincere author is basically the same person in person. I particularly enjoy reading about his experiences with his stepsons, as I can relate very well.
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Tags: Books, Travels

FQ1: In addition to the dearly departed Julia Child, who is your favorite food personality?

Wolfgang Puck

FQ2: What meal would you have this culinary genius prepare for you if they asked?

Beef Wellington with all the trimmings and French pastries for dessert

FQ3: If they refused, and you could eat at any restaurant you wanted as a consolation, which one would you choose?

His restaurant

FQ KITCHEN: Share with us a favorite recipe or cooking tip.

Cranberry Tart: 2 beaten eggs, 1 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. melted butter, 1 c. flour, 1/2 c. chopped nuts, 2 c. whole cranberries. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine all ingedients in the order listed. Pour into greated 10 inch pie pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until done. Serve warm.

Tags: Participation

In his 17th and most electrifying Athens swim, tireless teen Michael Phelps out-touched Ian Crocker in the 100m fly Friday, becoming the first American since Mark Spitz (1972) to win four individual golds at one Games. — from www.nbcolympics.com

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Tags: Sports

MSNBC - Gonzalez shocks Roddick in third round

Nooooo! What a disappointing summer so far for Roddick. With Federer having lost yesterday, Roddick failed to capitalize on the Fed’s early exit from the Olympics by losing to a n-o-b-o-d-y. Who the heck is Gonzalez anyway?

Tags: Roddick, Tennis

YESSS! Roddick needed six match points to down Tommy Haas. I think that’s Roddick’s first win over him. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Tags: Roddick, Tennis

After barely missing the silver and gold last night, Phelps wins two more gold medals in Athens today. I think he was more proud of his win with the US 4 x 200m freestyle relay than his inidividual medals. You could tell he was pretty emotional about it when he was interviewed on tv.

Tags: Sports

On the first day of the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps dominated the 400m IM breaking his own previous world record. The others weren’t even close. What was cool was the medal ceremony with the olive wreaths. I had never seen those before. Talk about crowning achievement . . . crowning glory!

Tags: Sports

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Well, I participated in a test that asked not one question regarding politics, and it spit out a political leader I most resemble. Awesome. So Saddam Hussein… I think of myself as a pretty laid-back, easy-going, goal-oriented person — Saddam must have been pretty cool then… besides all the killings and all.

What an experience.

Tags: Participation

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

This one was kind of lame.

Tags: Participation

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What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Tags: Participation

This is the 4th iteration of What’s Bruin and the best one so far!

I have a new web host (icdsoft.com) based out of Chicago. The site has not been down at all, no problems. And it’s only $5/month.

Tags: site_announcements, web_design